Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

English Language B
Paper 1

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September 2016
Extracts Booklet
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Text One
I climb erupting volcanoes for fun
adapted from an article by Kevin Duncan
In this passage, the writer describes his unusual hobby.

Costa Rica, La Fortuna in front of Arenal volcano

‘It’s as if you’re standing on the moon,’ says volcano-climber Kevin Duncan of his unusual
hobby.
Vesuvius was the first volcano I climbed. My father, an RAF wing commander, was posted
to Naples, Italy, when I was 13 and we lived in its shadow. The devastated landscape of
the upper slopes was like nowhere I’d ever been, lacking in vegetation; it felt as if I was 5
on the surface of the moon. At the summit, I stared into the vast crater with a mixture of
awe and elation, imagining it on fire, bubbling with magma (molten rock). That kicked
off an enduring fascination with volcanoes – even now I try to spend a month a year
visiting new ones. There’s something about being in their presence that I find hugely life-
affirming, a contrast to my deskbound job as a business consultant. 10

My volcano-chasing has taken me to Easter Island, Guatemala, Chile, Bolivia and Costa
Rica, which regularly falls prey to eruptions and earthquakes – by the time I’d stared at
the green acid lake inside the crater of Irazú and the bubbling mass at the heart of Poás,
I was ready to face my ultimate challenge.
Threatening at 1,657m, Costa Rica’s volcano Arenal is one of the world’s most active 15
volcanoes – it has been described as ‘constantly exploding’. Until 1968, Arenal was
thought to be dormant, so when it erupted and buried three villages, it took everyone by
surprise. It’s been grumbling ever since, and occasionally covers the area in scalding ash
or blasts columns of lava hundreds of feet into the air. I admired the persistence of the
locals, many of whom have little choice about living where they do, but I couldn’t help 20
feeling I’d joined them in a gruesome game of chance.
As I set off early from the base camp town Fortuna, I did begin to feel a little daunted,
particularly when I saw the lower slopes where evidence of its destructive effects were all
around me. In the middle of an ash-strewn field stood a single house, a lone survivor, still
occupied. The mountain was scarred by a black river of boulders up to two storeys high 25

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that had smashed through the vegetation a decade earlier.
I was taking all of this in when I heard thunder – or, rather, felt it. The ground trembled,
which was a singularly unnerving sensation. I knew Arenal could produce lava that
flowed downhill faster than a speeding car, and that I’d be a dead man if that happened.
It’s also likely to spit out rocks at varying speeds, like suitcases coming off a conveyor 30
belt – I’d witnessed that the night before when, gazing up from the relative safety of
my hotel, I’d watched red-hot rocks emerge one at a time. The volcano growled again. I
was tempted to climb higher, but beyond the tree line were so many dangers. Heat and
altitude sickness, bursts of volcanic vapour, poisonous gases, avalanches – any of these
could finish me off. Even the most insignificant eruption could result in large rocks falling 35
at speed.
I knew I was in danger; all my senses were screaming at me to retreat, but I couldn’t help
staying a little longer. Part of the attraction is being able to watch how these strange
landscapes can change within minutes. Even though I felt scared, I also felt vibrantly
alive, in awe of what I was seeing. Finally heading for home, I glanced back as the great 40
black cone of Arenal glowered at me, releasing another rumble.
My partner and children know I always take care during my expeditions and they have no
real fears for my safety. The following year, wanting to share the wonder I’d felt, I returned
to Arenal and took them with me. While we were on its slopes, the volcano issued a series
of ferocious rumbles that terrified my teenage daughter. She now considers that moment 45
a formative experience, one she’ll never forget. I’d like to think the strong interest she’s
developed in geology was partly inspired by that day.
I’m no thrill-seeker, and don’t have a death wish – the idea of storm-chasing or riding
giant waves holds no appeal for me. At the core of my interest is the urge to witness the
extraordinary, to build up layers of experience I can draw upon later. Then, at work, in the 50
middle of annoying projects, I can think to myself, ‘Yes, that’s what it’s all about, really.’

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Text Two
The value of hobbies
adapted from an article by Joyce E. A. Russell
In this passage, the writer presents her ideas on the importance of hobbies.

Recently I asked a businessman, ‘What hobbies do you have?’ He paused, looked at me

blankly, and then replied, ‘Actually, I don’t really have any,’ followed by another long
pause. As he reflected on this, it seemed to suddenly strike him that his life was way
out of balance. He was living and breathing his work, which was his own company.
The little free time he had, outside of his business, was spent driving his kids to their 5
various activities and watching them play sports and take music lessons. While he
loved spending time with his kids, he felt that something was missing in his life. He
also reported that he often felt tense, stressed and was increasingly having difficulty
controlling his temper.
Many of us can relate to this lifestyle. We have long given up on having any personal time 10
in order to devote our energies to our work or families. But rarely do we give ourselves
time for our own activities. Yet finding time for ourselves is key to our own sanity. It can
actually improve all the other aspects of our lives. Having a hobby may be even more
important to people who lead very full and busy lives.
Defining a hobby 15

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hobby as a pursuit outside of one’s regular

occupation, engaged in especially for relaxation. It’s not something you ‘have to do’, but
rather something you ‘want to do’ because you love to do it. As a result, a hobby can take
many forms, be it stamp collecting, gardening, woodworking, playing tennis or even
travelling. 20

Michael Brickey, author and psychologist, says that an ideal hobby would be one
that serves three purposes: a diversion (escape from daily life), a passion (engage in
something you love) and a creation of a sense of purpose.

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Benefits
Research has shown that people who have hobbies are generally healthier, and have a 25
lower risk of depression and mental health problems. Many people say a sport or physical
fitness routine as a hobby keeps their blood pressure down, enables them to manage
their anger and daily frustrations, and puts them in a much better frame of mind.
Consequently, this has an impact on their quality of life, work and family time. Many
hobbies also provide a social outlet for us if we join teams or interact with others (five-a- 30
side football, a choir). These social interactions can provide a degree of social support we
may need. Hobbies can also bring pleasure to our lives.
I have talked to many people who reported the sheer joy they got from travelling to new
places or taking a cooking class. Hobbies provide an outlet from daily stress that can
keep us from getting burned out in our jobs. They also provide numerous health benefits 35
from lower blood pressure, to better physical function and higher positive psychological
states. Further, hobbies may actually improve our work performance if they improve our
decision-making skills, creativity and confidence.
Finding time
Setting aside time for a hobby in our lives (tennis every Monday night or a weekend 40
chess tournament) enables us to take a break with ‘permission’. Since we have signed
up, we feel we should show up and we are ‘forced’ to take a break. Some people need to
structure their hobbies into their daily lives, otherwise they would feel too guilty to take
a break from work. Setting a routine to carve out time is important initially. You may have
to give up watching TV every night, or you may have to force yourself to leave the office 45
a little earlier each day. Make your hobby a priority. Set goals for yourself and get a friend
to support you and to help you stay with a hobby.
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ is a famous proverb. There may be some
truth to this so make sure you find some time for yourself to relax, enjoy some fun and
pick up a hobby – especially if you are stressed or going through a tough time. You will 50
thank yourself for it, and so will your family and colleagues.

Sources taken/adapted from:

Text One:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/29/volcanoes-costa-rica

Photograph:
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/license/sb10061697a-001

Text Two:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/career-coach-the-value-of-
hobbies/2013/05/03/ffa53f2c-b294-11e2-bbf2-a6f9e9d79e19_story.html

Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders to obtain their permission for the use of copyright
material. Pearson Education Ltd. will, if notified, be happy to rectify any errors or omissions and include any
such rectifications in future editions.

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